Mirazur in Menton is a memorable experience.L'Hostellerie Jérôme in La Turbie is excellent with a more traditional regional touch.In Vence Les Bacchanales might be a more interesting event than Le Saint-Martin.It would be interesting to see how Le Moulin de Mougins is doing under its new regime.

Do you know when Le Moulin de Mougins was taken over? We were there in September 2007 and we loved it. I just hope the food and experience is just as good (although I noticed it lost it's Michelin star). Thanks for the suggestions!

Vergé turned it over to Alain Llorca several years ago. He was very talented, but capricious and was fired last winter. He is now at the Beau Rivage in Juan-les-Pins. The owners of Le Moulin brought in a chef from Switzerland. I think that they will do what they have to to get the ratings and stars back. I look forward to reports and to trying it myself.

Unfortunately we did not make it to Moulin last night so I do not have anything to report.

We did make it to Chevre d'Or in Eze - it was good but perhaps a little overrated. The meal (including champagne on the terrace - breathtaking view so go during daylight) lasted 5 hours and it was just too much food. The atmosphere was a little too stuffy - traditional and old school (maybe I'm just not used to dining in a wall-to-wall carpeted restaurant) but the food/service was very good. If they offer lunch, that would be a better bet.

Keisuke Matsushima is getting positive reviews off the charts. Haven't been, but will be sure to get there next time in Nice. Some others might have input on this place, opened about 2 1/2 years ago, has one Michelin *

Yes, Kei's restaurant is excellent and he has been sticking to his 35€ menu, although there are a lot of supplements (which are justified.) It is Provençale cuisine with Japanese touches. He has also just opened a "Japanese" restaurant in Nice.

i will second L'Hostellerie Jérôme in La Turbie which is a traditional room and menu but excellent. Also Keisuke Matsushima in Nice which was recommended to us by the people at Le Comptoir in Paris. This is a more modern room and menu. We also like Jouni which is right on the water in Nice harbor. As a caveat it has been a few years since we were in the area.

La Merenda is just old hat. It's in every guide of Nice ever printed, every blog, every tourist book. The novelty has worn off. Yes, it doesn't have a phone, no reservations, 10 tables, uncomfortable stools. But the food is not what it used to be. I recommending bypassing La Merenda. Too many other good places in the area.

We went to La Merenda for lunch yesterday and it was DELICIOUS! It certainly beats any other tourist trap places that I've been to.

I had the tomato tarte and the lentils w/sausage, my fellow diners started off with the zucchini blossoms and the ratatoille & beef stew. We all finished with the stewed figs & swiss chard tarte. Since it is off-season, getting a reservation was not a problem. We stopped by at 10a for a 12p reserve.

We also tried La Zucca Magica by the port for dinner and it was a fun and yummy experience. I called at 4p for a 8p reservation with no problems. This restaurant is Italian vegetarian, no menu - they served 5 courses and it was all very good. I would recommend this place.